May 19, 2012

Books for a Bright Child: Three Classics for Good Child Development

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Many studies show that children whose parents read to them tend to perform better in school. Children also learn grammar, sentence structure and communication skills from an early age and develop quicker as a result. Here are some classics – some old, some new – to keep you and your child entertained as they hone these important development tools:

1.     Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein
Voltaire said, “Poetry is the music of the soul, and, above all, of great and feeling souls.” With simple rhyme scheme and absurd illustrations, your children will learn the building blocks of communication from a master poet.  Shel Silverstein. Silverstein, whose works include the words to “A Boy Named Sue,” made famous by Johnny Cash, wrote works of poetry enjoyed by generations of children.  Try even singing the words to help your child’s development!

2.     Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
The deservedly over-sized book has illustrations of monsters that are grotesque and adorable and drip with texture, which will surely spark in your child an early love for art. Your children will love the illustrations and surely will understand the raucous sense of adventure spewing from its pages. Best of all, its relatively short length and wonderful story make Where the Wild Things Are a place you and your children can visit over and over again!

3.     The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
While everyone enjoys the classic movie, try reading the series to your children. The colorful characters and easy to understand narrative of Baum’s classic novel will be entertaining to even a newborn. Try using different voices for the many diverse characters. This will not only be more entertaining for your child, but will help them develop an ear for distinguishing character. Also, you might find the deviations from the movie entertaining yourself!

These classics are time-tested to entertain you and your children.  Not only that, but with reading to your child, develop their love for the arts as well as their communication skills.

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Choosing Books For Children Or New Readers

If you are a parent, you probably have a full understanding of just how important it is to choose books that are related to a child’s interest and skill level. However, there are many things to think about that will ultimately combine to help you find a great book that is appropriate for the child’s reading level and fun to read at the same time. These factors are particularly important for someone who is just beginning to read. During these early stages it is more important than ever to encourage a child’s love of reading and ensure that the learning experience is a pleasurable one.

Obviously, one of the easiest ways to hold a child’s interest with a book is to find one that is related to their specific interests. Also, look for books that not only have a high literary content, but area also richly illustrated. In the case of someone who is just learning to read, they will often use the pictures to help them sort out the plot of the story, especially if there are still some words or phrases that are unfamiliar.

Also, peruse the topic and determine whether or not it is appropriate. Ideally, a child will not become overwhelmed by the amount of words on a page, or the difficulty of those words, but will become motivated to read on a continual basis, because they are challenged just enough to prevent frustration.

Finally, encourage discussion of the story, including an explanation of any words that are unfamiliar to the child. In this way, the activity of reading can be a low-pressure learning experience that will provide a bonding experience too. Don’t be alarmed if the child prefers to read the same story over and over again for days at a time. Children tend to gravitate towards that which is familiar.

How To Reduce The Size Of Your Home Library

If you’re like many people, you may feel equal amounts of joy and dismay when looking at your growing library of books. After all, books can be one of the most appreciated types of possessions, since they can be enjoyed time and time again, and even passed down through generations. However, books can take up a lot of space and if you’re an avid reader, you may quickly find yourself running out of space to store your books. If you’re looking to thin out your book collection a bit, here are a few ways you can do it.

Check to see if there are any used book retailers in your area. Many people prefer to support their local booksellers, and a great way to do that is by adding to their collection with some books of your own.

If you do not have a used bookseller in your area, you can think about offering your books for sale on a website such as Amazon.com. If you don’t want to go through a lot of effort to sell your books, this is probably your best bet. However, keep in mind that you may not get a lot of money in return for your books. Of course, this is determined by several factors, but many books on Amazon are sold for nothing more than a penny (not including the cost of shipping).

Conversely, if you are not too interested in profiting from your books, think about donating them to a nearby charity or library. Actually, any type of facility that regularly welcomes the public could be a recipient of your donated books. Doctor’s offices, homeless shelters, schools and daycare centers are just a few examples. Of course, if you choose this route, make sure that your donated books are appropriate for the intended setting.

Joining A Book Club

The Jane Austen Book Club (film)
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Whether you love reading, are looking to spice up your social life, or both, a book club can be a great opportunity to explore. The first order of business is to see if there is a book club currently meeting in your local area. Even if you assume that there aren’t any, you may be very surprised. Book clubs often meet within churches, in home living rooms, and more. One of the nice things about book clubs is that they are usually quite casual. So, you don’t have to worry if you only have the chance to read one book every four months, or a book every week. The amount of reading is not the issue, so much as the importance of taking time to slowly digest the overall quality of the written word.

Once you’ve found a suitable book club, try to find out which books are on the club’s reading list and read at least part of the current selection before you attend the first meeting. This way, you’ll have something to contribute to the discussion.

Speaking of the discussion, don’t be shy about sharing your views about the book! Even if your perspective is quite different from that of other members of the group, the beauty of book clubs is that they gently urge their members to embrace alternative views of the books that are read. This in turn helps members to understand that there are multiple ways to interpret a book’s content. Once book club members embrace that reality, they will often find that their own perspective of the book is greatly enriched.

Finally, don’t subject the other members of the group to a blow-by-blow rundown of every sentence of the book. Just come prepared to discuss some of the main things that you took away from reading the chapter or entire book that’s being covered.

Online College Degrees Promote Reading and Literacy

summer reading
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Reading is very important, but too many people don’t see the value in reading and how much it will affect what they do in life. They see literacy as something that won’t really be needed – with the exception of certain jobs where it’s required. No matter what career path you’re on, though, reading is more than just a means to an end. It can provide you with joy, excitement, and all kinds of hobbies that you hadn’t thought about before. Even if reading isn’t a hobby – most hobbies require a reasonable ability to read so you can learn about them.

If you don’t read that well and you’re uncomfortable about it, there are ways you can get some help without needing to feel embarrassed. Online college degrees are an option, because you don’t have to leave your home and sit in a classroom where your weakness in literacy will be revealed to your classmates. Instead, you can learn to improve your reading online, through remedial courses. Once you’ve gotten your reading up to a good level, you can then go ahead with your other coursework and get your degree. There are many options for online degrees today, and there are a lot of schools that offer them.

Make sure you choose a school that’s willing to work with you, so you don’t have to worry about having a problem after you’ve paid your money and signed up. If you choose a reputable school, you can also get financial aid and extra help with your reading concerns. When you’ve completed your education you’ll not only have the confidence that brings but you’ll have the option to use that degree to embark on a career that you really enjoy. Both your work and your hobbies will be easier and more fulfilling because you’re able to read well and enjoy so much more.

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Review of Amazon Kindle

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No matter where you live, an Amazon Kindle is for everyone. A Kindle is an eBook reading device that lets you enjoy thousands of books in one convenient location. Canada 411 can help you find the retailer that will sell you a Kindle.

The Amazon Kindle comes in two colors; white or graphite. When first receiving a Kindle, many people may be intimidating by such a modern looking machine. The Kindle usually comes partially charged so that you can play around with it when first getting it.

The best part about the Kindle is the instant reading access you have for books. With one click of a button, you can read any book you want in under a minute. For those books you can’t wait to start reading, this is a great invention.

The Kindle is a great machine to take anywhere, especially on vacation. You can slip it easily into your purse or luggage, and during your vacation you will never run out of things to read. The Kindle is even great to read in the sunlight. There is absolutely no glare and the screen won’t fade from being in the sun. Many iPad users have complained about the glare in the sunlight, and that is why the Kindle is a much better eReader than the iPad.

If you are thinking of getting a Kindle, they also make great Christmas gifts. All a person needs in an Amazon account and they can instantly access many books. The best part about the Kindle is the portability. It can be taken everywhere and also makes a great conversation piece. Read the reviews before you buy anything, but you will find out that many people all over the world are satisfied with the Amazon Kindle.

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Digital Reading Saves Money

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It doesn’t matter what kind of books you like to read, digital reading saves money. And if you are a student who needs to purchase many different textbooks and study guides for preparing for tests like the GMAT, then a Kindle or other device is an excellent help. Imagine how much more cost efficient it is to use a Kindle when studying for GMAT prep courses. The textbooks and study guides you need can cost you an arm and a leg if you buy them the old-fashioned way. The cost to the publisher is higher because of production costs. Then the price you pay is higher to cover those costs. But when you purchase your study texts and use a Kindle, your costs are significantly less.
On top of price, convenience is another benefit when you choose to use your Kindle to prepare for your GMAT. Your pocketbook will thank you when it comes to cost and your back will thank you when it comes to convenience. You see, when you use e-books to get ready for GMAT prep courses, you will not have to lug around a backpack full of heavy books and study guides. Instead, you can have them all in the palm of your hand. You can prepare and study anywhere you wish. So forget the library and enjoy a nice day by the pool. If you forget a book, that is no problem either. Just go online, find it, purchase it and there it is on your Kindle. When you get rid of all of the high-costs and inconveniences of physical texts, you will be more successful with your preparation for the GMAT exam.

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Online Schools are the Next Big Craze

Cal Toy
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Nothing can replace the experience of attending college and university to further your education, but not everyone has the luxury to spare the time required. For those who want to further their education, there is a perfect way to do so and you can do it all at your own spare time. This is by reading books at home for an online degree. Online schools offer programs just as good as major universities and simply by reading at home, you can get a computer software degree. There is no need to wait around to find the time to take classes as long as you have an affinity for books. Whether it’s taking a class and getting some work done in the morning or before you go to bed, you can now do that at home.

More people are choosing to attend college and university over the Internet and this is slowly becoming a huge success for everyone. Online degrees are recognized just as much as any degree you will receive from a physical university and most major colleges and universities offer their programs online. Think of how much money you will save from not having to take that drive or eating out to make sure you get to class on time. The possibilities are endless and you can just about achieve any degree you now want. So why wait to further your education when you now have the advantage to do it at your own time and from your own home?

When you are studying in a regular college, you see other people studying, and your natural competitive spirit makes you study and excel. However, when you are home, the only thing that gets you through, academically, is a liking for reading books. That is just what we aim to achieve: to inspire a desire to read in everyone.

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Books and Children: Suggestions

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Books were once the only true form of entertainment. They were cherished for the adventures they allowed children to imagine, the worlds they created. But those worlds can now be offered in easy glory through the television screen, found instantly through a virtual search. Literature has become a too slow, too demanding, pastime – unable to compete with the fast thrills of electronics. And, for this, you are truly saddened. Because you still understand the value of chapters, the exploration of words. Your child, however, does not. He thinks it to be an idea too antiquated, without any relevance or importance.

Something must be done. Books must be encouraged.

Such encouragement seems difficult, however. All attempts have failed, were met with apathy. But this is possibly because they lacked the necessary tangibility. Bringing stories to life is essential in coaxing interest in them:

1. Offer films. While it may seem counterproductive to promote the cinema when you’re trying to also promote the turn of a page, it is instead helpful. A favored film – memorized and watched often – can easily translate into a favored book. Urge your child to read the story he already knows to discover the differences. This will make an easier transition.

2. Provide trips. Books allow all to travel to impossible destinations. A car, however, can at least provide the possible ones. Should your child express interest in specific topics, take him to see examples of them: museums, historic sites and more. Choosing books that reflect these locations will spark reading on the trip (and eventually at home).

3. Read yourself. Your child is a mimic. He learns through observing you, seeing what boundaries you create and trying then to reach them. If you offer books for him and but take none for yourself, the precedent is made. You must instead choose to read and be certain he sees this.

It is not an easy battle to win: technology has become the preferred excitement. There are ways to ensure books are still understood, however. You must simply make them a defined presence.

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The Addiction of Reading

More favorites
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Despite doom-saying studies that no one in the younger generation is reading anymore, millions of folks still fall “victim” to good books. It’s the best kind of addiction to have, and you know the symptoms. Watch for the telltale sign: “I just couldn’t put it down!”

Reading, in all seriousness, is a study and a statement all at the same time. Humans learn from the books they read, in some way or another. They can learn facts, they can gain understanding into other schools of thought, they can teach their minds to think and imagine in ways they wouldn’t have dreamed of a few pages before. But by picking up a book and reading, a person is also making the statement that they want more than what is in their life. That’s not a bad thing. Not everyone can be a CIA agent, but everyone CAN read Tom Clancy. A person might not be involved in a mystery regarding a huge fortune, but he CAN live that exciting life by proxy through Ellen Raskin’s book, The Westing Game.

Surrounding yourself with good books is one of the best choices you can make. Trolling old secondhand shops for new reads and exploring bookshops for something to curl up with are as much joyful journeys as actually finding that perfect book. The most dedicated bibliophiles always gasp in exasperation at themselves when they go into a used bookshop for one book and come out with 15. When you get to that point, you’ll be needing to look into debt consolidation services just to cover your booking buying. But again, it’s a great addiction to have.

Reading is one of the great ways in which people learn, and everyone will continue to record their knowledge in the written word for future generations to learn and grow from.

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